One who makes a show of himself does not shine One who affirms himself is not recognized One who shows off has no credit One who knows others is smart One who knows himself is brilliant One who speaks does not know One who knows does not speak The Sage holds on to oneness and becomes the model in the land Precisely because he does not compete Nobody in the land can compete With him Wisdom consists of being led by your own inherent nature - no more See and Hear yourself People who only see and hear others And never see and hear themselves Constantly try and control others And are constantly jealous of what others Possess and enjoy.

The Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) was founded in the UK in 2002 by Robert Verkerk. Initially it was to raise funds to finance a legal challenge of the EU Food Supplement Directive, but there is now a linked anti-GM food campaign

"I felt naturally drawn to Tai Chi " (... one day our local teacher was ill ...) "and his tutor came to take the class. I was immediately taken by his quiet steady manner. He did not converse with the group, just started teaching and left without a word at the end. Instinct told me he could give the answers I needed, and I asked my teacher to see if he would take me on a one to one basis. That was in the hope that the energies could be used to heal my skin complaint. He took me on. I appreciated the calm and stillness that surrounded his teaching, slowly when learning the Tai Chi form I began to get a better feel of the energies. When our regular teacher left, Kevin took over the class," (... and now, nearly 5 years later,..) he is moving on to practicing Falun Gong, which he, (personally) feels channels his energy more effectively than does Tai Chi ."

What are Rising Phoenix Tai Chi and Qi-gung ?Without the use of drugs or special equipment, these ancient exercise systems, based on Taoist principles and Traditional Chinese Medicine can help those who practice Tai Chi to achieve better health, and to live a longer, more harmonious, life. Tai Chi Chuan and Qi-gung , (pronounced Chi Kung), use a sequences of graceful, gentle movements, developed by martial arts masters centuries ago. These promote wholeness and health, through body alignment, which is achieved through gentle stretching, and folding, and opening of joints. Natural breathing and the releasing of habitual tensions in the body, and mind, also helps participants connect with their own sense of well-being and vitality. Tai Chi , though, is more than just an easy-going work-out. Researchers have systematically reviewed nearly 50 separate Tai Chi studies to reveal some wide-ranging health benefits that confirm this.

In March 2004, the Archives of Internal Medicine published the results of a study conducted by US researchers at the Tufts-New England Medical Center in Boston. The researchers noted that in older patients with chronic conditions, Tai Chi appeared to be a safe and effective means of promoting their flexibility, balance control and cardiovascular fitness.

A 2003 Korean study examined a style of Tai Chi that was developed to reduce the symptoms, and improve physical functioning of, patients with arthritis, in particular females with osteoarthritis. They found that, when compared to the "control group" those in the Tai Chi group experienced significantly less pain and stiffness, and reported fewer difficulties performing daily functions compared to the non-exercising group.

In 2002, a study reported in the Journal of Applied Nursing Research, showed that for older women, Tai Chi exercises created significant improvements in balance, functional mobility, and a reduced fear of falling after twelve weeks of 30-minute classes, taken for just twice a week. The importance of easing the fear of falling in older people can not be overstated. According to a report on American National Public Radio, about 40 percent of all nursing home admissions result from a fall that leaves an elderly person at least somewhat disabled. Ironically, the fear of falling itself can also be considered a disability when it prevents an elderly person from performing simple daily tasks, or venturing out of the house. Exercise methods such as Tai Chi improve mobility, then confidence is restored and the risk of falling is reduced.

Your Exercise Capacity

In the July 2004 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, researchers at Stsmford University showed that the most powerful predictor of lifespan is what the authors call Exercise Capacity. The study involved 6,213 men, the average age was 59 years. Each man walked on the treadmill, while sensors monitored heart rate and a mask assessed oxygen and carbon dioxide flow. The researchers were able to estimate each man's maximal Exercise Capacity based on a lifestyle questionnaire. The researchers followed up each man later, the average follow up period was six years, and found that, after adjustment for age, the man's exercise capacity was the best way to predict which men would have died during follow up and which would live. This applied to all the men, with or without cardiovascular disease. Men with the lowest exercise capacities, measured as between 1.0 and 4.9, had about FOUR TIMES the risk of death than men with the highest exercise capacities, measured at 10.7 or more. Even small improvements in exercise capacity can reap big benefits. As the study's authors put it, each improvement in fitness, no matter how slight it may seem, can help lengthen your life, and, according to researcher T. Edwin Atwood: "It's not how long you exercise. ... It doesn't need to be marathons or running, just walking briskly every day for half an hour is a great risk modifier".

NEAT (Non-Exercise Activity Thermogenesis) are the calories we burn up just by fidgeting, moving around and changing posture! Scientists at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, USA studied obese and slim people over 10 days and found that on average the obese people stayed still for 2 hours longer than the slim ones! 2 hours being sedentary means around 350 extra calories not being used up, so .... you could just fidget for a bit!!

The Arthritis Research Campaign (ARC) produce a useful booklet on how to manage back pain. It contains suggested exercises, and tips on how to protect your back. Download it, or request it by phone: 0870 850 5000

Kieser training: tel: 020 7391 9980: is an exercise system that helps to strengthen back muscles in particular

Osteopaths use manual methods to find tense and tender areas, to stretch muscles, and to mobilize joints. In the UK they are governed by the General Osteopathic Council: tel. 020 7357 6655. In the UK this treatment might not be available on the National Health Service (NHS). The underlying philosophy behind osteopathy is that the body has a natural tendency to heal itself, but this can be disrupted by imbalances of the body structure. Treatments are normally done by using gentle stretching and mobilizing techniques, and are usually helpful for sports injuries; back pain; neck pain; joint pains; arthritis, headaches; migraines; work strain; repetitive strain injury; muscle strains; sciatica, and general stiffness.

In November 2003 a doctor's surgery in South London became the first in the UK to offer yoga as a means to improve patients' health.

Balham Park GP Surgery was able to provide this service after receiving £2,000 in funding as a result of winning a competition run by the Royal College of General Practioners. Many patients have reported positive results from the yoga classes. The classes were set up, after the patient participation group at the surgery suggested instigating some sort of exercise class to which patients could be referred

Meditate

In addition to a daily yoga practice, meditation is another wonderful natural stress reliever. Some people think learning how to meditate is difficult or time consuming, but this couldn't be further from the truth. Beginners can start meditating for as little as five minutes a day and then increase their practice time slowly.

Some Family Links

Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness worldwide. If it is caught early it can be treated and the visual loss restricted to a minimum, so it is important to have regular eye tests. In the UK eye tests are free to anyone over 40 with a family history of Glaucoma. Those most at risk from Glaucoma are:

VITAL is a not-for-profit organization that helps poverty-stricken children gain access to education, healthcare, food, protection and emergency shelter. Zumba run Introductory sessions at the Wessex House Bar and Dance Venue, 1A St. John's Hill, Battersea, London SW11 1TNZumba is a fusion of Latin and International music that creates a dynamic, exciting, and effective fitness system with easy-to-follow moves

Studies show people who do partner dances like the tango recover from depression quicker than those who do not dance. Is it really only "partner dances" that have this effect - or is it all dances ? Do you know other creative ways to treat depression?

Hyperactive and unruly boys with ADHD became calmer ...The research was carried out between 2001-2005 at the Clinic for Child and Youth Psychiatry in Karlstad as a collaborative effort involving the University College of Dance in Stockholm, the Department of Public Health Science at Karlstad University, the Clinic for Child and Youth Psychiatry in Karlstad, and Dance in Varmland. The boys in the project were aged 5-7 and the girls aged 13-17. News-Medical.Net